By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: July 3, 2008

The United States Supreme Court rejected an effort by victims of a deadly refinery explosion to block a plea deal between the plant's owner, BP P.L.C., and prosecutors. The action means a federal judge in Houston can decide whether to give final approval of the much-criticized deal, which settles criminal conduct by the company related to the 2005 blast. The agreement, which has a BP subsidiary pleading guilty to a violation of the Clean Air Act, calls for a $50 million fine and sentences the company to three years' probation for its role in the blast in Texas City on March 23, 2005, which killed 15 people and injured more than 170.